Vodafone launches text-to-pay taxis complete with built-in chargers

As technology continues to advance society faster and faster it's almost inevitable that cash will become a concept that future generations look back on with incredulity: "You had to carry paper and coins with you to pay for stuff?"

The latest move has come from Vodafone. The operator is to trial a system that lets customers in London pay for any of the hundreds of taxis it is putting the streets painted with Union flags (see below), simply by texting the number of the cab to Vodafone which will charge the fare to their bill.

This means any late night revellers, businessmen getting soaked in the rain on the way to important meetings, or tourists who've forgotten to go the cashpoint will always be able to grab a cab as long as their phone is in their pocket (and they're on Vodafone).

Customers wishing to sign up for the pay-by-mobile taxi service need to call 0845 680 3409 to set up the free service. They then text the word 'taxi', the taxi's number and the amount they want to pay to 80010. Not a penny in sight.

The cabs will also contain chargers for devices including BlackBerrys and iPhones, so all mobile users can ensure they have plenty of juice for their journey.

"Now with our fantastic fleet of Union Jack cabs and their onboard chargers which anyone can use, all Londoners will be able to see our continuing commitment to the capital," said Vodafone chief executive Guy Lawrence.

If this catches on you'd expect to see other network operators rolling out similar schemes, something that taxi drivers and forgetful travellers must be looking forward to immensely.

And with near-field communication technology rapidly advancing, it wouldn't be a push to see the major operators wrap these capabilities into this kind of service before too long.

One of the Vodafone branded taxis set to hit the streets of London.

03 May 2011